Barbara Freeman & Paul Wilson

E y e o f t h e B e h o l d e r

“We never listen half so well as when we are trying to identify the source of the sound.”

Banks of the River Bann: Installation by Barbara Freeman & Paul Wilson

Last Friday I took my four-year-old to the Portadown library, but it was closed. So, we wandered round the corner and stepped into the Millenium Court Art Centre in William Street. Most of my visits to art exhibitions are laced and punctuated with the harsh criticisms of one or more of my children… and it’s not a bad thing either. They keep my feet firmly on the ground but challenge my perceptions with their own, very honest and open impressions. The last exhibition we attended was one by South African artist William Kentridge, in Johannesburg. Wonder above wonder, Kentridge captured their complete attention and awe with his gritty but lyrical animated film, done mostly in charcoal. This time it was the turn of two Northern Ireland artists, Barbara Freeman (working with composer Paul Wilson) with their installation ‘Banks of the Bann’; and Claire Whitten with ‘Out of the Dark’. What would a pre-schooler make of them?

In the main exhibition space we were confronted with a series of huge metal plates, suspended from the ceiling and neatly stacked like the steps of a spiral staircase, but vertically, going up and up. These plates have been places, presumably the Bann River. As we approached, sounds from the world under water, voices and strange, etherial music started – we were spotted by an infrared detector. Placed quadrophonicaly (is there such a word?) around the plates were curved steel membranes, wired up and beaming the music right into the centre of the collection of plates. It created a subtle effect of echoes and resonance. Every movement from me, and my proximity to the plates, triggered a response. I had the feeling of being suspended with the plates, under water, in time… Lili was crawling underneath and looked very pleased with the effect, before she ran off to enjoy the big, white open space of the gallery.

I walked round and round these plates, looked closer at them to see if there were any markings among the rust and scratches that suggested a hidden meaning. Regrettably, I didn’t find any. I asked many more silent questions: why are the plates so perfectly rectangular, and not eroded? Does the texture of rust and scratches suggest erosion and the passage of time – or is there a more ‘elevated’ symbolism of timeless perfection?

The series of rectangular paintings along the walls of the gallery echoed the repetition of the metal plates in the centre, each painting an abstract of colour and texture, with a strong theme of water running through: blurred colours swimming in a sea of texture, watery drops splashed through thick paint, faded shapes. I picked Lili up and held her face close to the paintings so she could experience the texture and colours. She became very silent and serious, intently staring at each painting with me. I think the memory of absorbing colour, texture and sounds, and being closely held in mommy’s arms, will always stay with her. As for the subtle interactive sound effects surrounding the metal plates – she could not be still or around for long enough to appreciate that she was playing an active role in creating the sounds. Also, for a noisy kid that is bombarded with sounds from computer games, television and stereo systems – often simultaneously – it might not be such a novelty anyway!

Considering the official take and background to Barbara Freeman and Paul Wilson’s creation, I could not have had the insight from only a brief, blind visit to fully appreciate what it was all about. I quote from the leaflet printed to accompany the exhibit:

“This exhibition epitomises the term ‘Inverting Conventions’ by demonstrating how art can make one see the familiar and mundane through fresh and inquisitive eyes. ‘Banks of the Bann’ is the third collaboration between Belfast based Artist Barbara Freeman and the Downpatrick Composer Paul Wilson. Together they have produced an installation that explores the sounds and images of the River Bann in a way that emphasises the majesty and mystery that surrounds the river.”

“…the installation itself bridges the gap from the outside world of nature and chaos to the gallery space, which tames and investigates these forces.”

“She creates these paintings with a combination of computer colour analysis and traditional painting methods, a process that merges the acts of both construction and deconstruction.”

“We never listen half so well as when we are trying to identify the source of the sound.”

“…a constantly transforming soundtrack that unites poetry, recordings of the river and surrounding noises, which creates the impression that one is hearing the very soul ofthe river.”

The exhibition was a good experience, but I feel the chaotic forces of the Bann was not only tamed, but nearly very killed by a suspicious curator who simply would not disappear and leave me be. How can one soak up sounds and colours when you are being watched as if you are on display? Does he think I’m planning on walking out with the plates under my arm?

What I would love to discover, is a gallery space that can tame the whirling force of a four-year-old!

I will refrain from relating my impressions of Claire Whitten’s painting, partly because this post would be too long and you’ll get bored, and partly because she’s giving a talk on her exhibit on Thursday evening at seven. I would make sure to be there and hear what the lady has up her sleeve. Watch this space for some feedback.

Go have a look, if you are near Portadown:

'Banks of the River Bann'
A new visual and sound installation by Barbara Freeman and Paul Wilson, based on the sounds and images of the River Bann and its surroundings. Millennium Court Arts Centre, William St, Portadown Wed-Thurs 10am-8pm Mon-Tues, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm Until May 28 048-2838394415

'Out of the Dark'
Paintings poised between representation and abstraction, by Claire Whitten. Millennium Court Arts Centre, William St, Portadown Wed-Thurs 10am-8pm Mon-Tues, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm Until May 30 048-2838394415

Get to know more about the South African artist, William Kentridge

A biography and images by Kentridge